Martina Anderson brings case for Putting Ireland First to Church event

Go raibh
míle maith agaibh as an chuireadh anseo anocht. Thanks very much for the
invitation to take part in tonight’s event. It’s a privilege to be here.

It’s
timely and very appropriate that this gathering is on the same evening that
heads of State of Ireland and Britain, an tUachtarán Michael D Higgins and
Queen Elizabeth, are meeting in London for the 1st time.

First
Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness attendance brings an all-island
dimension to this historic occasion, which is about building reconciliation
among the people of Ireland and between the people of Ireland and
Britain.

I am an
Irish Republican. I want to see an end to partition and a genuine process of
Reconciliation based on Equality and Tolerance.

However,
I also believe that Ireland’s place, North and South, is in Europe and Sinn
Féin’s role in the EU is to Put Ireland First.

That
means being Ireland’s voice against cuts in Europe, Cuts for Farmers, cuts for
PEACE and Structural funds.

It means
working to get the ban lifted on the Executive accessing funds from the
European Investment Bank for infrastructure projects.

Therefore, I am working to achieve a £1bn Euro Stimulus
package which could fund the A5 and A6 road schemes, the Narrow Water Bridge,
the Desertcreat Police and Fire training college and a new Children's Hospital
– all of which would create jobs.

It means
supporting our Farmers through our commitment to a fair Common Agricultural
Policy and backing the Single Region Model which creates a level playing field
for small and big farmers alike.

As MEP I
pledged to ‘Bring you to Europe and Europe to you’,

I have
hosted SMEs, Farmers, GAA, Rugby, Soccer and many others organizations in
Brussels to open up EU funding opportunities.

I fought
for Peace IV funding and for Regional Aid to apply across the North.

I have
visited constituencies across the North explaining big competitive funding
opportunities, which exist in Europe – and launched a Gateway to EU
Funding

I have
worked to control the sale of Tobacco Products to prevent children from
starting the deadly habit of smoking.

I am one
of four candidates - Sinn Féin is running in this EU election.

A team of
4 SF MEPs will put Ireland First and will work on behalf of all our
people.